De Mars, Stellingmill in De Blesse, Netherlands.
De Mars is a stellingmill in De Blesse with four common sails measuring 18.20 meters each, mounted on a three-story brick structure at Steenwijkerweg. The machinery inside grinds grain using wind power, making it a working example of industrial heritage from the nineteenth century.
The original mill was built in 1834 as a grondzeiler without the brick base now seen at the site. Late nineteenth-century modifications transformed it into a standing mill with the three-story foundation that remains today.
The name De Mars references the war god symbol found on many Frisian mills, reflecting local naming traditions. This site shows how communities valued their milling heritage and adapted structures to serve changing needs over generations.
The site is accessible on Fridays between 13:00 and 18:00, with a blue flag at the entrance indicating additional opening times. Plan your visit on a clear day to fully appreciate the sail structure and observe the milling machinery in action.
The mill cap installed in 1999 came from a German mill in Neustadtgödens-Wedelfeld, creating a cross-border link in milling heritage. This connection reveals how mill communities shared technical knowledge and parts across national boundaries.
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